Customer Reviews

Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline

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Egyptian history can be very confusing when one first undertakes the study of it. In fact, the more one studies it, the more of a riddle it becomes. The biggest problem in the history is not so much what happened as when it happened. The issue becomes even more compound if one tries to synchronize the Bible with Egypt's chronology. David Down and John Ashton do a great job of setting a realistic and greatly reduced time frame for the land of the sands.
When I first begin to gather info on biblical chronology I looked to Ussher. Although, Ussher does alright with later history there is so much that Ussher does not explain. Furthermore, most of the names given by Ussher are not even known to us to have ever been pharoahs. I became discouraged until I saw this book. Once I picked it up I was hooked. Here were all things that my history prof taught me but with an altered time frame. The evidence for a new chronology is quite convincing and Downs is not the only one to adopt it.
Downs who has been an archaeologist for some 50 years lets his audience know that in fact, the chronological order of Egyptian history is far from settled amongst those in his field. A greater number of archaeologists are realizing that history needs to be rewritten because a great amount of empirical thinking has beefed up the time frame of Egyptian dynasties by about 500 years. Downs believes that by reducing the time frame we are better able to understand what happened and answer many questions.
Downs also believes that the only way to gain an accurate account of Egyptian history is to compare it with the history of the Hittites and the Israelites. He believes that by a revised chronology the 12th dynasty becomes the catalyst of semitic sojourning and offers evidence for an exodus. His case is well supported by solid facts coming from all different archaelogical studies. He believes that there is evidence to suggest that Hapshetsut may be the queen of Sheba and that the 18th dynasty is much later than first thought. His belief about the Hyksos is a radical departure from classical history but if his time frame is correct it seems to make perfect sense. He also seems to place Rameses in the eighth century. I thought that was a little crazy, but the evidence he offered for that proposal is quite outstanding.
I have to admit that Downs ideas are very progressive but seem to be very tight at the same time. I do not know what Ashton's role in all of this was since it is obvious that Downs is the one who has done the bulk of the homework. Dr.Downs is also very appealing because of the way he presents himself. He seems like a pleasant man who is neither arrogant or brash. He presents his thoughts and ideas in a clear non-agressive format that has an allure to it. It is well substantiated, and when all the evidence is brought together it is clear that Downs knows his game. My only complaint is that I wish the work was much larger because it is obvious that Downs knows much more than he is telling you. I been so fascinated by Dr. Downs work that when I transfer to the University for my Bachelors in History I think I want to minor in Classical Archaeology. The book is groundbreaking to say the least. It is a must have for any student of the Bible or the land of Egypt.

John Ashton and David Down have put together a very impressive document utilizing a revised Egyptian chronology. The book is very well-presented and easy to read, the pictures are breathtaking, and the research is very well-done, making good use of a plethora of sources as indicated by their extensive bibliography and use of footnotes. As a Young Earth Creationist, I was delighted to see an Egyptian chronology which meshed with the Biblical timeline, and the authors do an excellent job with their work regarding Emmanuel Velikovsky's theories regarding the Third Intermediate Period. The work done by Ashton and Down have led to interesting conclusions such as that regarding the the Queen of Sheba's correlation to Queen Hatshepsut, as well as the conclusion naming Khasekhemre-Neferhotep I and Sesostris III as the pharaohs of the Israelite Exodus and Oppression, respectively. This book became one of my most-used resources in a college-level paper I wrote for a history class at the Pennsylvania State University regarding the dates of the Hebrew Exodus. I am very pleased to recommend it.

This book is very readable and has been a great aid in home schooling our elementary school age children in ancient history. It delves into the whole topic of aligning the historical events of the Bible with the secular accounts of early civilizations. Great tool if you believe as I do that early civilizations followed the dispersion of people at the Tower of Babel.

This book is fantastic! Not only do you get a book though, you also get a movie and that is an added bonus for the money. The nice thing is that the movie isn't some five minute blurb, but a full hour and a half. Money spent on this purchase was worth it.

My only complaint about this book is that it is too short. It is obviously based on compendious knowledge and research, and is as up-to-date as anyone could hope for, bringing a number of discoveries since the year 2000 to bear, and also a good summary of the revised chronology arguments. Although this book is very robust in aligning the history of Egypt to a biblical timeline, its real aim is showing how this is the chronology that best fits all the known facts. And it does this very well. I was surprised at the radical adjustment of the period between the 13th and 18th Dynasties, but the end result was very compelling. I think anyone not wedded to the "Old Chronology" beyond reason (as frequently happens in academic circles, before the final collapse of an old order) will have to agree that the 12th dynasty is the precise timeframe for Joseph and the period of oppression in Egypt, with the Exodus fitting in at the end of that era. I would have welcomed a bit more discussion of the Exodus itself, including the range of possible Red Sea crossing sites and location(s) of Mt Sinai; also perhaps an attempt at synchronisation of the invasion of the kings in Genesis 14 - perhaps for your next book, gentlemen?

This book is a very readable book, although I'd have liked to see a bit more depth. It does however manage to put the chronologies of Velikovsky and Courville and the like into one coherent chronology and ties this in to the Biblical History, something that I've struggled a bit with, not being an Egyptologist. It provides a really helpful overview that is easy to read and is hence a good starting point to launch out into deeper studies. An excellent book.

One of the best, pleasant to read and see, breath-taking and thought-provoking, excellent pictures and beautiful presentation, well-worthy for the price, a treasure of our time, and an excellent choice for a gift.

This book does not answer all but presents a concrete and convincing archeological argument against current scholarship on the history of ancient Egypt and the biblical time (especially of Exodus), and very easy to read for all ages.

I remember myself so frustrated and confused in my graduate study in Old Testament and Archaeology classes many years ago. It was the date of Exodus but the biblical account and current scholarship disagrees so much. And my professor discarded my paper as a junk. And it haunted me for a long time wondering what went wrong. One of the mind-boggling questions is: if the biblical account is grossly incorrect, then how the ancient scribes (e.g., at the time of King Solomon) let it be? And why are there so many discrepancies and blind-spots (e.g., the scholarly silence or speculations) between the Pharaohs of Egypt and the biblical account (10c B.C. - 20c B.C.). And I found my answer and clues from this book.

For those looking for the comprehensive scholarly work, I recommend David M. Rohl's book, A Test of Time: The Bible from Myth to History (or the same book but title in USA: Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest, 1995).
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One of last chapters on the chronology of Genesis is, in my opinion, fascinating and courageous enough to be put in the print (for sure, to be ridiculed by the majority). However, one may consider one of the recent break-through in the paleontology by Dr. Mary Schweitzer (on discovery of soft tissues in T-Rex (68 million years old) and others, in Smithsonian, Discover, Nova with Video to play, Science journal, ...) [...]
I believe that this is one of the greatest discoveries of 20C. And this
totally changes our current view, belief, and paradigm (scientific)
that no one ever imagined. One may suggest not only the chronology of Genesis a possibility but also the movie Jurassic Park (1993, directed by Steven Spielberg) a potential reality - truly a chilling thought!

Richard K. Min, Dallas, Texas, September 12, 2008.

Having before realised that the present archaeological position has the pyramids existing before the Noahic flood, which is an untenable position, this book brings the answer.

David Down and John Ashton in "Unwrapping the Pharaohs," provide an excellent and smooth read intermixed with spectacular and stimulating pictures within this stunning presentation regarding the culture and civilization of the ancient Egyptians.
This volume makes a potent case for the biblical outline and chronology of the Old Testament record in touching Egypt and the Exodus.

Groundbreaking archeological evidence that will encourage your faith as it stimulates your mind and heart. This beautiful book makes a fantastic gift, coffee table top book, and a wonderful study that supports the scriptural sketch of the times and peoples within ancient Egypt and peoples of the biblical Exodus. A new chronology is presented commingled with gorgeous photographs in 218 pages. Recommended by Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon of The Berean Call.
God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary

Co-authors John Ashton and David Down present ancient Egypt as it has never been seen before in their collaboration "Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline." Included with the book is an interesting 86-minute DVD titled "Digging Up the Past."

Within the first few pages, two maps are offered; one that depicts major ancient Egyptian cities and pyramid placement in the days of the Pharaohs and also a modern-day map of Egypt for comparison. The introduction to the book follows and this section captures the essence of the point of the work: to use factual evidence from the oldest continuous civilization to corroborate Biblical fact. Using an easy-to-understand conversational tone, Ashton and Down reach a wide audience with interesting facts and wonderful color photographs.

Organized in chronological chapters, the authors first look at the pyramids and mummies that fascinate people of all ages. The book continues through the dynasties of the pharaohs and ends with the chapter "The Pharaohs of the Bible" which names some of the unnamed Egyptian pharaohs and dignitaries mentioned in the Old Testament.

Dynamic full-color pictures and writing style aside, "Unwrapping the Pharaohs" is a well-documented book that links the stories of the Old Testament to the facts preserved on Ancient Egyptian artifacts. It further solidifies that the Bible is a viable source of truth.